ROI on Instructor Pilates Mat Teacher Training Program

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If you are looking into Pilates teacher training I’m guessing there are a lot of things weighing in on your decision to jump into this endeavor. Even though there are plenty of opportunities to teach Pilates as a full time career, many people start teaching Pilates as a part time job or as a supplement to movement teaching that they are already doing. Pilates teacher training is not a cheap investment and so I thought I would break down how long it would take you to earn back what you invested in your training.

ROI on Pilates Mat Teacheer Training... (1)In it’s entirety our Mat Training Module is approximately a $2000 investment by the time you include all of your lessons, classes, and training fees. Pilates instructors in the Midwest generally earn anywhere from $15 to $50 per group class depending on where they are teaching and how many students they have. For today’s calculations I used $20 per class to calculate how long it might take you to earn back the original cost to do the training. At this rate you would need to teach 100 classes to earn back the original investment. If you taught 2 classes per week for an entire year (52 weeks) you would repay your investment.

This of course is assuming you are just teaching group classes and only getting paid $20 per class.  If you are making more per class (which is pretty common) you will repay your investment much sooner.  There are also plenty of opportunities to teach Pilates in a one on one or private setting in which case you may earn between a higher hourly rate.

What kinds of skills does a Pilates teacher need?

One of the things I love about teaching Pilates is all of the different roles I get to play as a teacher. The Pilates Method and movement itself has so much depth and is so individualized to unique bodies that you really need to incorporate a wide variety of skills to effectively teach clients.  Here’s a quick list I made of some of the many things I get to do on a daily basis:

  • Teach people how to connect and integrate movement and breath in their body
  • Instruct how to move (do this, do 5 more…) My job is to not only teach them how to do a movement but also guide them through a workout, instruct them on how many to do and at what pace.
  • Planner–  I watch clients’ movement, assess their needs and plan their next movement/exercise and their next sessions.  This is a constant process going on.
  • Problem Solver:  As a teacher I am constantly looking at clients bodies trying to figure out how to help them to create balance in their musculature, balance in their movements and keep progressing in their practice.   This means I am always trying to figure out the best way to teach them an exercise that will help find that balance in their body.  If something doesn’t feel right in their body I help them troubleshoot what might need to be adjusted and how we can individualize the exercise to them.
  • Motivational and inspirational coach: Keep them excited, accomplished and moving forward….  This is probably one of the most important roles I play. Because let’s face it…if someone hates what they are doing, they are feeling like that can’t do it, or just plain are not motivated…they are not going to make a practice of Pilates….and without them showing up I have no work to do!

 

Nine things to look for when researching Pilates Teacher Training Programs

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pilates ttIf you want to become a Pilates instructor, you know how overwhelming it can be when you start looking at all of the different instructor training programs out there. Learning to instruct the Pilates method is a journey and it is important to find a training program that will best fit your needs and life. We encourage you to do your research and look at three or four different programs to find the best fit for you! Here are some tips to think about:

1. Get to know the instructors who will be teaching the training program and the instructors at the studio where you will be training. You are going to spend a lot of your time at workshops, taking lessons, and observing. Make sure that you enjoy the instructors’ teaching and are comfortable in the studio where you will be doing your training.

2. Many programs have a mentoring portion of their program. This simply means a particular person will guide you throughout the process. Your mentor will be there to answer questions and check in periodically on your progress. Ask who your mentor will be, how you can contact this person, and what the mentoring portion of the program entails.

3. Talk to other instructors who have completed the program. Firsthand experience is priceless and talking to instructors who have gone through the program will give you a good feel for what to expect.

4. Know what the program prerequisites are. Some programs require that you be at a certain level in your own Pilates practice before starting the program, while others may require previous movement or teaching experience.

5. Learn how many hours are required to complete the program. Depending on the type of program you are doing, you will be required to log in your hours and complete them in a timely fashion. Figure out how many hours you will need to dedicate to your training weekly and make sure this is reasonable and that you are able to schedule these hours. Many programs have a time limit. Ask how long you have to complete the program and what happens if you do not complete it in that time frame. If not completed within a certain time frame you may need to retake workshops or pay an extra fee to extend your time to finish the program.

6. Ask about the program costs. Be very specific and make sure you know what is included in the program price and what is not included. Sometimes training manuals and books are included in the pricing, but often times they are not. Ask if any of the required lessons are included in the price and if not, whether there are discounts on sessions while in the program. Some programs will include the use of the studio for your practice teaching in the program price, while others may charge you to use their space and equipment. Are tests included in the program price or will you have to pay extra?

7. If you are interested in teaching at the studio you will train at, be sure to ask about apprentice teaching opportunities as well as future employment opportunities after you finish your training. Many studios offer apprentice teaching positions. This is a great way to gain experience, get your required hours in, and make a little money to offset your costs.

8. Many Pilates programs offer a Certificate of Completion instead of a Certificate of Certification. The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) has encouraged training programs to do this in order to encourage instructors to take the Pilates Method Alliance international professional exam, and as a way to create an international standard of Pilates instruction. Different studios, gyms, and fitness centers have different requirements for their Pilates instructors. If you are planning on teaching in a particular setting it, make sure you know which education requirements are necessary.

9. Most Pilates programs require some sort of continuing education to keep their certificate of completion current, and PMA certified instructors must complete sixteen hours every two years. Ask about continuing education requirements and inquire about continuing education opportunities offered at the training studio.

Do I need to live nearby to join the Pilates teacher training program?

You might be surprised to know that often times trainees in our Pilates teacher training programs travel as far as 3 or more hours just to get to our studio for training.  Pilates is still growing and building in the midwest and there are not a lot of Pilates teacher training programs offered in Iowa.  Did you know that Carey Sadler, director of the Body Precision Teacher Training program at Rivercity Pilates is one of only 5 certified Pilates instructors in the state of Iowa?  Rivercity Pilates offers one of the few comprehensive Pilates teacher training programs in the state.

IMG_7035The Body Precision comprehensive training program allows participants to work through training modules and eventually be eligible to sit for the national certifying exam offered by the Pilates Method Alliance.  If you are considering Pilates teacher training you’ll want to make sure your check out the Pilates Method Alliance website
and learn about the certifying process as this is considered the gold standard in the Pilates world.

The Pilates teacher training programs are a mix of in studio workshop time, trainees taking their own lessons and classes, trainees getting in observation hours of experienced teachers and trainees practice teaching. Workshop hours are always held on the weekends and the rest of the hours can truly be customized to your schedule.  Often times we will work with trainees who are traveling to the studio to help them plan training days where they can come over and get in a private lesson or a class and also stay and get in observation hours before and after their session in order to maximize their time.  Technology is advanced enough these days that we also can use a live video stream to let trainees get observation hours in from a distance. Practice teaching hours do not need to be done at the studio and can really be completed somewhere close and convenient to you.

If you are contemplating learning to teach Pilates but have not done it because of access to a training program in your area please reconsider and give us a call.  We would love to talk to you about how you can fit our program into your schedule and into your life!!

 

Butt-watching at Pilates?

IMG_6675Today’s blog starts with a client story…. A client was doing her her long stretch on the reformer and I cued her to reach through her left heel more and engage her left butt. She adjusted and then when she transitioned to the next exercise (Down Stretch) and was getting set up I said the cue again as I could see that she wasn’t engaging her left gluteus muscles and I wanted her to find the balanced work in this exercise. She laughs and says,”Really? How can you tell that? Are you looking at my butt?” My answer was,”Yes, of course I am. I’m looking at muscle engagement in your whole body as you are are moving which includes your butt!”

After teaching movement for 16 years sometimes I forget that not everybody looks at bodies like I do. Part of teaching the Pilates method of exercise is helping clients figure out what it means to create balance in their body and do balanced movements. By giving cues and instruction to clients on how to work more efficiently and more balanced you help them figure out how to notice and adjust in their own body without you always having to tell them.

If you are contemplating wanting to teach Pilates and this concept seems foreign or maybe complicated…..don’t worry you’ll learn how to do it!  When you go through workshops we’ll look at different bodies doing different exercises and talk about what we see and how we could help that person do the exercise better in their body. You’ll learn about what to look for and really how to become an observer of movement and muscle engagement. As you integrate your own personal practice time, with observation hours and practice teaching hours you’ll have plenty of chances to look at bodies and figure out how to hone this skill of observing and then cueing to create balance! I promise by the end of the program you won’t think twice about looking at someone’s butt while they are moving!!

Top 5 Job Perks for Pilates Instructors

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Thinking about training to become a Pilates teacher? Check out my personal top 5 perks of teaching Pilates!!  If these perks sound appealing to you be sure to check out our upcoming Pilates Mat Teacher Training Program that starts in September 2016!

1. I get paid to live in my comfortable workout wear.

2. I’m constantly in motion.

3. As a teacher I grow just as much as my students, learning with them!

4. I get to be a part of people’s health journey.

5. Working out is kind of required (I like to call it playing).